Car indicator



June 25, 1929. L. N. WHEELER CAR INDICATOR Filed Feb. 21. 1928 A TTOHNEY Patented June 25, 1929.

UNITED STATES LEONARD,N. WHEELER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

, can INDICATOR.

Application filed February 21, 1928. Serial No, 255,895.

The invention relates to signs or dcsignating means placed on railway cars, such as sleeping, parlor, and club cars and the like, to show the class or number or other distinguishing mark to aid passengers boarding the train in locating their reservations as indicated on their tickets. This is usually done by displaying in the car window a card or sign hearing' such information.

The object of the invention is to provide an indicator or sign projected from the side of the car and preferably at a right angle thereto, adapted to display such information con spicuously, and a further object is to provide means for operating such indicator automatically by the movements of the car-vestibule door, so that when the door is in the open condition the card or sign will be displayed and when closed will be withdrawn from view and concealed, and a further object is to pro vide means for showing such information within the vestibule when the door is closed.

The invention consists in certain novel features and details of construction and arrangement, by which the above objects are attained, to be hereinafter described and claimed.

The accompanying drawings form a part of this specification and show an approved form of the invention.

Figure 1 is a horizontal section through a portion of the vestibule of acar, showing the car door, indicator, and connected mechanism in plan view, with the door open and the indicator exposed exteriorly of the car.

Figure 2 is a vertical transverse section of a portion of the vestibule roof, with the adjacent parts shown in elevation and corresponding to Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a horizontal section similar to Figure 1 but with the door closed and the indicator withdrawn from outside view.

Similar reference numerals indicate the same parts in all the figures.

The car vestibule 5 may be understood to be of the usual or any approved construction and equipment general to sleepers, parlor cars and the like, having an inwardly opening side door 6 hinged to the rear wall of the car.

On the upper hinge 7 is a toothed segment 9 secured to the upper edge of the door-leaf of the hinge by engagement with the pintle 1,0 of the hinge and by a screw 11 extending through the segment 9 and into the leaf.

In the wall 8 is a semicircular recess 12 in which the segment may swing horizontally as the door is opened or closed, and 13 is a long cavity in the wall 8, communicating with the recess 12, and serving as a way or guide for a slide 14: having a rack 15 in mesh with the teeth of the segment 9 so as to be moved longitudinally by the partial rotations or oscillations of the door.

The slide l t is shown as formed of sheet metal having its upper and lower margins folded to form oppositely located grooves for receiving and holding a card or sign 16 hearing the car number or other identification.

When the door 6 is opened the partial rotation of the segment 9 causes the end of the slide 14 to be projected well beyond the side wall of the car, as shown in Figures 1 and 2 and display the sign 16 prominently, and when the door is closed the slide is moved inwardly with its sign and concealed in the cavity 13. The slide 14: and sign 16 are thus efliciently protected from the elements when the door is closed. 1

An opening 17 is provided in the inner face of the wall 8 disposed to register with the inner end of the slide 14:, and an auxiliary card or sign 18, similar to the card 16, may be mounted in the slide and exposed at the opening 17 for the convenience of the conductor and passengers in identifying the car when the door is closed and the outer sign retracted.

It will be noted that the equipment for mounting and operating the slide is simple and inexpensive, and that very little alteration in the construction of the car is required in installing the device. The operation is positive and automatic and the desired infor mation efficiently and conspicuously displayed, and a considerable saving in time and labor is effected over the usual methods of identification usually employed.

I claim 1. In a device of the character set forth, a car vestibule, an inwardly opening door in the side thereof, and an identifying sign normally concealed and arranged to be projected laterally from the side of said vestibule, and to be moved by the opening and closing movements of said door.

2. In a device of the character set forth, a car vestibule, a door in the side thereof, an identifying sign arranged to be projected laterally from the side of said vestibule, and means operated by the opening and closing movements of said door for projecting and exposing or retracting and concealing said s1 11.

In a' device of the character set'forth, a car vestibule, a door in the side thereof, a slide movably mounted on the wall of said vestibule and arranged to be projected laterally from the side thereof, and means actuated by the opening and closing movements of said door for giving alternate reciprocatorymovements to the slide.

4, In a device of the character set forth, a car vestibule,an inwardly opening door in the side thereof, a. slide movably mounted in the wall of said vestibule, a toothed segment carried on said door, and a rack on said slide in mesh with said segment, all arranged to move said slide outwardly and project its end beyond the side of said vestibule when said door is opened, and to retract and conceal said slide when said door is closad.

5. In a device of the character set forth, a car vestibule, an inwardly opening door in the side thereof, a slide movably mounted in the wall of said vestibule, a toothed segment carried on said door, and a rack on said slide in mesh with said segment, all arranged to move said slide outwardly when said door is opened, and inwardly when said door is closed, said wall having an opening Within said vestibule through which said slide is visible when retracted by such inward movement.

In testimony that I claim the invention abom set forth, I afiix my signature hereto.

LEONARD N. \VHEELER. 

